Mercedes plans diesel and performance GLC variants

ATLANTA -- Mercedes-Benz will introduce both diesel-powered and AMG performance variants of its GLC compact crossover.

Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon confirmed the coming models. The diesel-powered GLC will go on sale in the U.S. market in late 2016. It will be equipped with "essentially the same diesel engine" that was used in the GLK, Cannon said.

Mercedes redesigned the GLK for the 2016 model year and renamed it GLC. The diesel engine used for the outgoing GLK and the incoming GLC is a 2.1-liter four-cylinder engine.

Cannon didn't provide specific timing on the AMG variant but sa-id it would follow the diesel "down the line." It will be part of Mercedes' new AMG Sport line, not a full-fledged AMG model with a hand-built engine.

Mercedes introduced the AMG Sport line this year to bridge the gap between standard models and the top-of-the-line AMGs. AMG Sport models will have more powerful engines, sporty suspensions and special styling cues.

A plug-in hybrid version of the GLC also is likely soon. Mercedes announced this summer that it would introduce the GLC 350e plug-in, but timing hasn't been determined yet for the U.S.